With an outer shell inspired by a dragon's scales, the Hongzhu Housing Sales Center in Taiwan minimizes direct sun exposure while encouraging natural <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/daylighting">daylighting</a>. The facade is clad in a series of perforated metal panels bent and peeled up to create gaps in the armor that let in light and keep things cool inside. Designed by Taipei City firm, <a href="http://www.labmodus.net/" target="_blank">Lab Modus</a>, the sales center creates a striking image in its urban location.

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Hongzu Housing Sale Center-lab Modus

The Hongzhu Housing Sales Center is located on a narrow parcel on a street by the Taoyuan County exit of national highway.

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Hongzu Housing Sale Center-lab Modus

The three story building features a parking garage and entrance on the bottom with two floors of office and meeting space above.

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Hongzu Housing Sale Center-lab Modus

Taking full advantage of the site's footprint, the building expands to its extents and the massing takes its form from the available space.

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Hongzu Housing Sale Center-lab Modus

<a href="http://www.labmodus.net/" target="_blank">Lab Modus</a> took inspiration from the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon#East_and_Southeast_Asian" target="_blank">dragon</a>, which is a lucky animal and considered a symbol of success and luck.

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Hongzu Housing Sale Center-lab Modus

In particular the dragon's scales were reinterpreted in an architectural form to aid in the energy performance of the building.

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Hongzu Housing Sale Center-lab Modus

The building's inner layer is clad in glass and then covered with a double layer of perforated metal panels.

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Hongzu Housing Sale Center-lab Modus

Articulation and gaps in the outer shell create a gap to allow natural ventilation and minimize solar heat gain.

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Hongzu Housing Sale Center-lab Modus

The design also allows diffuse and indirect light to enter the building.

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Hongzu Housing Sale Center-lab Modus

A dragon's outer shell thus reduces the building's need for air conditioning and artificial light.

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Hongzu Housing Sale Center-lab Modus

Office spaces and meeting areas on the first floor.

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Hongzu Housing Sale Center-lab Modus

Diffuse natural daylight reachers the inner recesses of the building.

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Hongzu Housing Sale Center-lab Modus

A bright white and modern space.

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Hongzu Housing Sale Center-lab Modus

First floor plan of the Hongzhu Housing Sales Center.

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Hongzu Housing Sale Center-lab Modus

With an outer shell inspired by a dragon's scales, the Hongzhu Housing Sales Center in Taiwan minimizes direct sun exposure while encouraging natural daylighting. The facade is clad in a series of perforated metal panels bent and peeled up to create gaps in the armor that let in light and keep things cool inside. Designed by Taipei City firm, Lab Modus, the sales center creates a striking image in its urban location.